Only 4 games left…. With the Cubs up by 2 with 4 left to play a win today would take a lot of pressure off heading into the final weekend in Cincinnati. The Marlins have nothing to play for but pride and they are taking the spoiler role very seriously. Lou Piniella’s crew just needs to relax and play ball the way they did before arriving in Miami. While the offense must be patient today against Scott Olsen, it all starts with Steve Trachsel.

Steve Trachsel will make his 4th start of the year for the Cubs and his first since September 13th. Trachsel beat the Astros with a solid performance his last time out. He gave up 2 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks. Lou Piniella needs a solid outing from Trachsel this afternoon but most importantly he needs the veteran to put a win on the board….that last sentence brought to you by obvious man.

Trachsel is 10-12 in 29 career starts against the Fish with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Last season with the Mets, Trachsel was 3-0 in 3 starts with a 2.00 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. He held the Marlins to a .197 batting average.

Miguel Cabrera – 12-21, with 5 doubles, 3 home runs and 8 RBI’s

Hanley Ramirez – 3-9, with a home run and a RBI

Dan Uggla – 0-5

Scott Olsen has not had a good year but will likely give the Cubs the best he has today. Olsen was 2-3 in July with a 7.53 ERA in 6 starts and was 1-3 in August with a 5.87 ERA in 5 starts. Olsen has not posted a win since August 5th and is coming off a very strange loss to the Mets his last time out. Olsen gave up 8 runs on 7 hits, but not one of the runs were earned. The Marlins committed 6 errors and the Mets won the game 9-6. Olsen is 0-3 in his last 4 starts with a 8.80 ERA with 13 walks and 12 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings. Olsen has not pitched past the 5th inning since August 22nd.

The Cubs must make him work today and put this game out of reach early. Fredi Gonzalez used most of his bullpen on Wednesday.

Olsen does not have a decision in 3 career starts against the Cubs. In 16 innings he has given up 8 runs, 7 earned, on 11 hits, 4 home runs with 12 strikeouts and 7 walks….a 3.94 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.

Derrek Lee, Matt Murton and Aramis Ramirez are a combined 3-for-13, each with 1 hit….a home run. Alfonso Soriano is 2-for-8 with double.